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About the National Wildlife Research

Center

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Welcome to the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC), a major facility within

APHIS' Wildlife Services program. NWRC is the Federal institution devoted to

resolving problems caused by the interaction of wild animals and society. The Center

applies scientific expertise to develop practical methods to resolve these problems

and maintain the quality of the environments shared with wildlife.

NWRC is headquartered on the Foothills Research Campus of Colorado State

University in Fort Collins, CO. Approximately two-thirds of NWRC's staff is located in

Fort Collins. The rest of our highly specialized staff are located throughout the

United States and address regional wildlife damage management issues. NWRC

routinely conducts international consultancies in this specialized area.

The Problem and the Solution

No wild animal is undesirable. Yet almost any wild animal can cause damage to

crops, natural resources, or property, or become a threat to human safety.
Deer and smaller mammals can consume newly planted tree seedlings and

other crops.

Birds in large, high-density flocks can decimate grain and sunflower fields.

Predators attack livestock and other domestic animals.

Wild animals can spread diseases such as lyme disease, rabies, plague, and

histoplasmosis.

The Center evaluates damage situations and develops methods and tools to reduce

or eliminate damage and resolve land-use conflicts. NWRC scientists study birds,

mammalian predators, rodents, and other wildlife that cause serious but localized

damage problems. The Center designs studies to ensure that the methods

developed to alleviate animal damage are biologically sound, effective, safe,

economical, and acceptable to the public. NWRC scientists produce the appropriate

methods, technology, and materials for reducing animal damage. Through the

publication of results and the exchange of technical information, the Center provides

valuable data and expertise to the public and the scientific community, as well as to

APHIS's Wildlife Services program.

At NWRC, we believe in:

Being responsive to the concerns and values of the public

Providing valid, objective information of the highest quality

Promoting the welfare of animals and the quality of the environment

Encouraging employees' high morale and growth and development

Maintaining a quality work environment

Providing equal opportunity for employment and advancement

Studies conducted at the NWRC will continue to provide new information needed to

protect American agriculture from wildlife-related problems. These studies will help

America manage its wildlife resources wisely and effectively into the future. 

Mission and Objectives

NWRC develops effective wildlife damage management methods through

contributions in the following areas:

Damage assessment

Investigation of the biology and behavior of problem animals
Evaluation of the impact of management practices on wildlife and the

environment

Development and improvement of present management technologies

Investigation of potential applications of new management technologies

Support of registration of chemicals and drugs used to manage wildlife

Transfer of scientific and technical information

Provision of scientific guidelines on wildlife damage for use by regulatory

agencies

Development of cooperative research and training with other organizations

Responsiveness to needs of user groups and the public.

The Center evaluates damage situations and develops methods and tools to reduce

or eliminate damage and resolve land-use conflicts. NWRC scientists study birds,

mammalian predators, rodents, and other wildlife that cause serious but localized

damage problems. The Center designs studies to ensure that the methods

developed to alleviate animal damage are biologically sound, effective, safe,

economical, and acceptable to the public. NWRC scientists produce the appropriate

methods, technology, and materials for reducing animal damage. Through the

publication of results and the exchange of technical information, the Center provides

valuable data and expertise to the public and the scientific community, as well as to

APHIS' Wildlife Services (WS) program.

NWRC— A Leader in Nonlethal Wildlife Solutions

NWRC Staff Expertise

The Center employs more than 160 scientists, technicians, and support personnel

at its Fort Collins, CO, headquarters and at field stations in several other states.

Scientific and support staff, all focused on particular wildlife damage issues,

specialize in the following disciplines:

Animal behavior/psychology

Animal care

Archives management

Chemistry

Computer science

Ecology

Economics
Electronics

Genetics

Immunology

Information Transfer

Pharmacology

Physiology

Quality assurance

Statistics

Toxicology

Veterinary medicine

Wildlife biology

Wildlife disease

Zoology

The Center relies on the services of people with additional specialties through

cooperative ties with universities, not-for-profit research facilities, and other public

and private research entities.

Cooperative Activities

The Center relies on the services of people with additional scientific specialties

through extensive cooperative ties with universities, not-for-profit research

organizations, and other public and private research entities. The NWRC has

achieved an integrated, multidisciplinary research agenda that is uniquely suited to

provide scientific information and solutions to wildlife damage problems.

NWRC Research

NWRC research is organized under four broad categories:

Agriculture and Resource Protection—Focuses on reducing wildlife damage

to crops, aquaculture, timber resources, natural resources, livestock, and

property; examines the ecology, behavior, and management of birds and

mammals; and develops methods to mitigate wildlife-aviation strike hazards. 

Invasive Species—Develops methods for reducing damage by invasive

vertebrate species to native wildlife and ecosystems.

Wildlife Disease—Explores ways to reduce the spread and transmission of

disease agents from wildlife to humans and domestic animals; develops disease

diagnostic methods; develops methods and strategies to monitor wildlife
pathogens and prevent and control wildlife diseases; assesses risks to

agriculture and human health and safety; and assists Wildlife Services

operations with surveillance and monitoring.

Technology Development—Promotes technological development in areas

related to pesticide registration, formulation chemistry, chemical analysis,

benefit-cost analysis, and wildlife contraceptives. 

Scientific Integrity Policies

USDA Scientific Integrity Departmental Regulation (DR 1074-001)

USDA Scientific Integrity Policy 

USDA Scientific Integrity and Research Misconduct